J and K to reserve 33% seats for women, connect all villages

Srinagar Jun 11 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to provide road connectivity to all the villages in the state by 2012, reserve 33 per cent seats for women in Panchayats and extended financial assistance for construction of houses in hilly areas.

Addressing a public meeting in one of the remotest villages, Dhara, yesterday, Minister for Rural Development Mula Ram said the government was keen to provide road connectivity to each village in the state by 2012.

He said work was apace on Faqir Gujri-Dhara road at a cost of Rs 1.48 crore.

Mr Ram said the government was determined to create Panchayati Raj in the state and reserve 33 per cent seats for women representatives.

He said among the welfare schemes launched by the Central government financial assistance of Rs 37,500 would be provided to those living in hilly areas for construction of low cost houses and Rs 35,000 to those living in plains under IAY.

He further said ''Awareness Camps'' would be conducted in different parts of the state regarding the implementation of NREGA, a Centrally sponsored scheme, and rate of wages prescribed under it would be enhanced to Rs 100.

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